As protests continue to spark across the country in response to recent ICE raids and growing tensions around immigration enforcement, Florida isn’t mincing words about where it stands.
At a press conference on Thursday, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey made headlines with a warning to would-be rioters and protesters ahead of this weekend’s “No Kings” rallies opposing President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Ivey, surrounded by deputies and service dogs, didn’t leave much room for interpretation.
“If you throw a brick, a firebomb, or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains at,” Ivey said. “Because we will kill you, graveyard dead. We’re not going to play.”
That soundbite, which quickly went viral, encapsulates Florida’s hardline approach as officials brace for unrest.
Florida: Proudly an “Anti-Riot State”
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier backed Ivey’s remarks, making it clear that the state isn’t just prepared, it’s eager to send a message.
“You don’t need to sit there and wait while people smash your window and damage your vehicle and put your family in jeopardy,” Uthmeier said. “You drive. Just drive.”
Uthmeier doubled down on Florida’s “anti-riot” status by pointing to recent legislation that grants sweeping protections to law enforcement and drivers who encounter protesters in the street.
He also emphasized that the state is taking proactive steps to shield ICE agents from harassment, promising criminal penalties for anyone who publishes their personal information online (a.k.a. doxxing).
What’s Sparked It?
Over the last week, Los Angeles has become the epicenter of protests after ICE conducted several high-profile raids in immigrant-heavy neighborhoods. The protests, which began largely peaceful, have escalated in some areas, prompting clashes between demonstrators and police.
Reports from LAPD confirm that Molotov cocktails, bottles, and other projectiles have been thrown at officers.
In total, nearly 400 individuals have been arrested or detained since the protests began on Friday, with the largest sweep happening on Monday.
That unrest has set the stage for “No Kings” rallies scheduled nationwide this weekend, including in several Florida cities. And in the Sunshine State, officials are drawing a hard line between free speech and what they call “mob rule.”
No Tolerance, No Apologies
Sheriff Ivey didn’t just threaten lethal force; he broke down a list of outcomes for anyone crossing the line.
“If you spit on us, you’re going to the hospital, then jail,” Ivey said. “If you hit one of us, you’re going to the hospital and jail—and most likely get bitten by one of our big, beautiful dogs we have here.”
He also addressed so-called “vehicle blockades,” a tactic protesters have used in other states to draw attention. “If you try to mob rule a car in Brevard County—gather around it, refusing to let the driver leave? In our county, you’re most likely going to get run over and dragged across the street.”
A State Divided
Critics say this kind of rhetoric only escalates tensions and invites violence rather than preventing it. Civil rights groups are already calling for investigations into use-of-force practices and the constitutionality of Florida’s aggressive posture toward protests.
But for now, Florida leaders aren’t backing down. They say it’s about safety and control, keeping order in a time when the nation feels increasingly on edge.
